Link found between better sleep quality, healthy diet

Washington DC: Sleep quality is positively associated with adherence to a healthy diet called Mediterranean diet.

Some aspects of the Mediterranean diet may promote better sleep; alternatively, poor sleep may cause people to eat less healthy foods. The study's authors note that the direction of the association remains to be elucidated.

Senior author Dr. Mary Yannakoulia, said, " The term Mediterranean diet is widely used to describe a dietary pattern characterized by the abundance of plant foods: fruits, vegetables, cereals, legumes, nuts, and seeds. Olive oil is the principal source of fat. A Mediterranean diet also includes moderate amounts of dairy products, low to moderate amounts of fish and poultry, red meat in low amounts, and wine, consumed modestly."

"We need to further explore the mechanisms that link this healthful pattern with better sleep habits, thus promoting quality of life of older people," she added.

Mediterranean diet is a traditional diet from Mediterranean countries, characterized especially by a high consumption of vegetables and olive oil and moderate consumption of protein, and thought to confer health benefits.

The full findings are present in the journal- Geriatrics and Gerontology International.